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Accounting Bodies Network

The Accounting Bodies Network (ABN) is a collaboration between A4S and professional bodies across the globe. Together the Network represents over 2.5 million professional accountants and students across 179 countries, representing two thirds of the world’s accountants.

Accounting bodies are vital in equipping their members with the knowledge and skills they need to implement sustainable finance practices.

The Network provides an open, cross-border platform. Members share knowledge, collaborate to overcome common barriers and champion the need for change within the accounting community.

"The ABN is a great collaborative force that has, for the past ten years, used its combined expert knowledge to support members and students to account for sustainability, providing the competencies and frameworks required to build a sustainable economy within which individuals and organizations can thrive

Jessica Fries, Executive Chairman, A4S

The ABN principles

All ABN members have signed up to five core principles which they have pledged to enact as part of their membership to the ABN: 

  1. Influence and inform
    To promote accounting for sustainability and the benefits of “integrated reporting” (reporting that connects an organization’s sustainability with its financial performance more clearly, concisely and consistently)

  2. Lead by example
    To embed accounting for sustainability within our own organizations’ strategy and operations

  3. Drive thought leadership
    To increase understanding of good sustainability practices by commissioning and/or participating in work related to accounting for sustainability

  4. Collaborate through the International Network
    To share learning and experience with the International Network and to work together to advance better accounting for sustainability

  5. Incorporate accounting for sustainability within training and professional education
    To incorporate accounting for sustainability in training programmes for employees, suppliers, students, members and others, in professional and academic qualifications and in professional development requirements

Transforming the profession: ABN 15 Year Anniversary

We’ve made a great deal of progress in the last 15 years – but we need to do more. To mark the ABN's 15 year anniversary, member bodies have collaborated on a project to explore how the future of the profession can, and is, transforming to help build and support a sustainable economy. Collectively we have focused on three areas – skills, systems and technology.

OUR JOURNEY: THE ACCOUNTING BODIES’ ROAD TO NET ZERO

14 chief executives of the Accounting Bodies Network (ABN) members signed a commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions within their own organizations, as well as provide support for their members to do the same. These stories bring to life what signatories have been doing within their own operations to align to their net zero commitment.

Embracing Sustainability: Actions for SMEs

Recognizing the collective impact of SMEs – representing about 90% of all businesses – and the critical role they play within any given supply chain, this guidance supports busy and sometimes resource-stretched organizations understand the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ in addressing the environmental and social challenges we face.

ABN members 

Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

www.charteredaccountantsanz.com

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IRELAND

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Consiglio Nazionale dei Dottori Commercialisti e Degli Esperti Contabili (CNDCEC)

CPA Australia

Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada

Global Accounting Alliance (GAA)

Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)

Institut Der Wirtschaftsprüfer (IDW)

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)

Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA)

Regnskap Norge/Accounting Norway

South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)

Collaborative statements 

Accounting for Sustainability is a Charitable Incorporated Organization, registered charity number 1195467. Accounting for Sustainability is part of the King Charles III Charitable Fund Group of Charities.
Registered Office: 9 Appold Street, 8th Floor, London, EC2A 2AP